TOP OF THE SIXTH

Published 4:00 am, Friday, October 18, 1996

OK, BUT HE DIDN'T PLAY AGAINST MIKAN

Robert Parish, 43, who has joined the Chicago Bulls for his 21st NBA season, was asked what it's like to play for coach Phil Jackson after playing against him. "I'm not that old," Parish said with a laugh. "I didn't play against him, but I remember him playing."

Says Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Sun-Times: "In truth, Jackson was playing for New York and then New Jersey during Parish's first four years in the league. But they say the memory is one of the first things to go."

GET A GRIP, DEREK: Are baseball players spoiled? The Yankees' rookie shortstop, Derek Jeter, is on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week. He's pictured throwing out Baltimore's Cal Ripken from his knees during last week's ALCS in Baltimore. Says Jeter: "They could've found a better picture of me. That's ugly."

-- "Prepare for my trick when you open the door on Halloween," says reader Bob Kinney. "I'll be dressed as Roberto Alomar."

-- Among the reasons listed by the Toronto Sun as to why even regular-season hockey is better than postseason baseball: "Twelve-year-olds can't grab pucks to prevent goals."

OH-OH SAY: From Phil Collier of the San Diego Union-Tribune: "Jim Leyland had a hint of what 1996 might bring when the national anthem was being played before the Pirates' season opener. "One of his players turned to him and said, 'Every time I hear that song, I have a bad game.' "

-- Broadcaster and former goaltender John Davidson, on the pressure of his old job: "When I was a goalie in New York, one day they wanted to vote me for mayor, and the next day they wanted to come over and shoot my dog."

-- From Nick Canepa of the San Diego Union-Tribune: "Georgetown president Rev. Leo O'Donovan remains opposed to (basketball coach) John Thompson's bid to buy a slot machine concession in Las Vegas. Bingo, OK."

-- "Security at Yankee Stadium will be tightened for the World Series," says comedy writer Alan Ray. "The team is afraid an opposing player might interfere with a fan trying to catch a flyball."